Classification of Amino Acids

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the classification of amino acids and their roles in energy metabolism.

Gluconeogenesis

A metabolic pathway that generates glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates such as lactate, glycerol, and glucogenic amino acids.

Glucogenic Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be converted into glucose via gluconeogenesis.

Ketogenic Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be converted into ketone bodies or acetyl-CoA for energy metabolism.

Negative Energy Balance

A state where energy expenditure exceeds energy intake, leading to reliance on other energy sources.

Krebs Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy in the form of ATP.

Acetoacetate

A ketone body that can be produced from ketogenic amino acids.

Acetyl-CoA

A key intermediate in energy metabolism that can be derived from ketogenic amino acids.

Energy Metabolism

The biochemical process through which organisms convert nutrients into energy.

Carbon Backbone

The main structure of an amino acid that can be converted into glucose.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in biological systems.

Metabolic Pathway

A series of chemical reactions in a cell that lead to a specific product or change.

Preferential Breakdown

The process of breaking down one type of molecule over another based on metabolic needs.

Insufficient Carbohydrate Availability

A condition where carbohydrates are not present in adequate amounts to fuel energy production.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Both Glucogenic and Ketogenic

A classification of certain amino acids that can be converted into both glucose and ketone bodies depending on metabolic context.